1. 阅读理解

What do Tom Sawyer and Jumping Frogs have in common? Stories about both of them were created by one man: Mark Twain. Twain was four years old when his family moved to Hannibal, Missouri, located on the west bank of the Mississippi. Twain grew up there and was fascinated with (使……入迷) life along the river — the steamboats, the giant lumber (木头) rafts, and the people who worked on them.

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is one of Twain's best loved short stories, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is one of his most famous novels. Both these works are celebrated by events held during National Tom Sawyer Days, which originated in the late 1950s and became national in the 1960s. Children enter their frogs in the jumping contest during National Tom Sawyer Days. There's also a fence painting contest to see who can paint the fastest. The idea for this contest comes from a scene in Tom Sawyer, in which Tom has been told to paint the fence in front of the house he lives in. It's a beautiful day, and he would rather be doing anything else. As his friends walk by, he makes them believe that it's fun to paint, and they join in the "fun". By the end of the day, the fence has three coats of paint!

Although the story of Tom Sawyer is a fiction (虚构的事), it's based on facts. If you go to Hannibal, you'll see the white fence, which still stands at Twain's boyhood home.

1. （1） Which of the following statements about Mark Twain is TRUE?

   A . He was born in Hannibal. B . He enjoyed his life in Hannibal. C . He spent most of his childhood on the Mississippi. D . He often went rafting (坐船漂流) on the Mississippi with his parents.
3. （2） National Tom Sawyer Days were created ________.

   A . about forty years ago B . in memory of a great writer C . shortly after Twain's death D . to improve kids' interest in reading
5. （3） Who will win the fence painting contest?

   A . Bob, painting the longest. B . Julia, painting most carefully. C . Jim, painting in the newest way. D . John, painting in the shortest time.
7. （4） From the white fence at Twain's boyhood home, we know that ________.

   A . the story of Tom Sawyer is based partly on Twain's experiences B . the story of Tom Sawyer is based totally on Twain's imagination C . Twain's old house is painted by the fence painting competitors D . Twain's old house is visited by people from all over the country